NOUN | act | trial by ordeal, ordeal | a primitive method of determining a person's guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under divine control |
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Meaning | A primitive method of determining a person's guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under divine control; escape was usually taken as a sign of innocence. | |
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Synonym | ordeal | |
Broader | trial | (law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law |
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